Mommy Lolly

October 18, 2010

Dear Mommy,

Thank you for being strong for all of us.
Thank you for your unfailing love.
Because of you we learned how to be strong,
to care and to love.
I'm sorry for the many times I gave you heartaches.
I'm sorry that I made you cry.
Thank you for being there whenever my heartbreaks, for comforting me, for assuring me
that everything will be alright.
Thank you for making your time available
whenever we need you.
May God bless us with more years with you so we can show you more how much we love you and thank you for all the things you've done for us!

We love you always!

Happy Birthday, Mommy Lolly!

06 Senti Compilation

Sa paglasap ng tagumpay, siguraduhing walang natatapakan.

Sa pagnamnam ng kaligayahan, siguraduhing walang nasasaktan.

Sikaping lumingon sa pinanggalingan.

Ang Pako

ano kaya ang magiging epekto kung ang lahat ng tao ay marunong tumupad sa ipinangako?

pangako hindi kita iiwan.
pangako hindi pababayaan.
pangako hindi ka na magiisa.
pangako ako ang bahala.

huwag na lang mangangako kung lagi din lang mapapako...

ibinaon na nila sa limot ang kanilang mga pangako...

Ikaw ilan na ang pangako mo o ipinangako sa iyo ang napako?

huwag mo na itong asahan...

Si Lord lang talaga ang laging tumutupad sa Kanyang pangako.

Happy Father's Day, to the one I Love!

He is not just a caring father, he is loving, too.

He takes care of his children well, and disciplines them, too.

His kids love him so much,

his their playmate and buddy, for them he's the greatest!

He does my work on weekends, even workdays he'd help me, too.

what more can I ask for from a husband like him...
a partner and a friend whose love is never ending.

He's not perfect, i know, but from his imperfection, comes out the best in him.

To the Father of my Children, I love you more each day!

Happy Father's Day!

bulag sa katotohanan?

kumusta naman ang pasugalan? sulit ba ang puyat na magdamagan? 'yun daw ang "ideal woman"... babaeng may lalake na, may babae pa, san ka pa? tao ka ba? ito ang uri na gustong pakisamahan?

gisingin ang ugat patungo sa utak baka natutulog lamang, paganahin kahit saglit lang.

kadalasan, nasasaktan na'y nasisisi pa - ang mga taong nagmamalasakit lamang, mga taong hinihingan ng payo nguni't hindi pinakikinggan. mga taong nalalapitan sa oras ng matinding pangangailangan. hindi lang sa panahong naghahanap ng kaibigang makakasalo sa saya o habang may naibibigay ka...
nasasabihan mo nga siya ng problema pero nasosolusyonan ba? paano kung sa bandang huli siya pala ang iyong problema, paano lalabas sa isang sitwasyon na hawak ka?

ito 'yung taong bulag sa katotohanan, bingi sa payo ng mga taong tunay na nagmamahal. "focused" ika nga, focused sa akala ay panghabang-buhay na kaligayahan. walang "happily ever after" hanggang hindi naitatama ang mga maling gawa.

Who says life is easy?

It's never easy... lalo na kapag di ka marunong makontento.

Noong bata ka gusto mong tumanda agad para magkatrabaho.

Noong tumanda ka naisip mong mas masarap pala ang maging bata kasi walang iniintindi.

Noong nagaaral ka feeling mo laging kulang ang baon mo.

Noong nagtatrabaho ka na, feeling mo laging kulang ang sweldo mo, nasa isip mo mag-aral na lang kaya ulit ako?

Kapag gutom ka nagrereklamo ka... kapag busog ka na nagrereklamo ka pa rin.

at marami pang ibang eklat!

Noong payat ka gusto mong tumaba, nung tumaba ka gusto mong pumayat.

Maputi na nga ang kulay mo, gusto mo pang magpa-tan.

Iyong mga kayumanggi nga gusto namang magpa-puti. (gumamit ng papaya, bleach, Belo meds, may gluthathione pa, tapos magrereklamo sa gastos)

Bakit di na lang tanggapin kung ano ang pinagkaloob sa iyo.

ano ba talaga, kuya?

Kailan ka ba masisiyahan? Kahit ang Diyos maguguluhan sa nais nating mangyari sa ating buhay kung ganito ang pagiisip natin. simple lang naman talaga dapat ang ating pamumuhay, pinapahirap lang natin sa pamamagitan ng pagkomplika ng sitwasyon.

Tanggapin na lang kaya natin ng maluwag kung ano man ang meron tayo, at mula doo'y palaguin ito. :-)

Barbie's Shoe

2010, April 19, @3pm - Snowe came to me crying, she said she can't find her Barbie's other shoe. I remember she's playing by the bathroom's lavatory because she needs water for her toy, a Barbie Seaworld Trainer set. I went with her and helped her look but we couldn't find it. I asked her if she washed the doll, but she didn't answer and started to cry out loud as if she lost something very important to her. You know how babies cry when a mother leaves or a young kid is lost in a mall? That's how she cried and I feel sad for her, but I couldn't comfort her yet. I'm a bit disappointed because we just bought that set of Barbie last Saturday (it was on 50% sale) and as we were opening the package I keep on telling her to take care of the very small items for it might get lost.

When we could not find it, I told her maybe it's flushed down the drain and it's gone forever, she kept on crying and crying. I hugged her and we sat down in front of the computer, asking her what to do now that the other shoe is gone, she said we can make another shoe. I said i don't think we can, she said "we can" and suggested some materials we could use like paper. until she got tired and asked me for milk. She said "Mommy, I want dede." (she's referring to her bottle of milk) I was being mean at the moment, because of what had happened, and I'm trying to test her reactions and teach her a lesson. I said, you want milk? you can't have milk because you lost a shoe! she replied, "but i think I want to drink milk". It made me smile to think that maybe she wants to find comfort from something. We called her Dad and told him Snowe is sad and she couldnt' talk but sob, I explained to him what happened then I gave her the phone, in a few seconds, she was smiling and even laughed at me when I put the phone down. I asked her what Dad told her, she said he'll help her find another pair of shoe. Shush! Well, after a few more minutes of blah, blah, I decided to get her milk, while Ate Skye put away the toys. Skye was telling stories on what could have happened to the other shoe and kept on until Snowe is no longer sad.

5pm: I went to the bathroom to put clothes in the washer and cleaned up the area where Snowe played, I lifted the rug and saw the shoe Snowe thought she had lost. I called her immediately and she was so happy to know that it was just there after all.

A re-post...

I'd like to repost this forwarded Handbook of 2010 sent by An2:

Have a great and peaceful 2010 ahead!!!

THE HANDBOOK for 2010

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants
4. Live with the
3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5. Make time to pray
6. Play more games
7. Read more books than you did in 2009
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily... And while you walk, SMILE

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything..
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6..
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come..
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be HAPPY ALWAYS

A Special Valentine present

My daughters made this art craft, a special flower vase, as their gift for me on Valentine's Day. It has two flowers in it, they said one from Skye and one from Snowe. It even has some soil inside made of pieces of paper.

Hugs and kisses for my loving daughters, from their proud Mom!

PinoyCook's Baked Macaroni

I've been a stay-at-home-Mom for many years now, 6 years it is, and living abroad has made me focus on experimenting in the kitchen. I've done lots of my Mom's and my TF's recipes, and for the many times I ran out of ideas, I just browse the internet and look for some dishes I never tried before.
One of the websites I got hooked on was shared to me by Mare Hershey where she got her recipe of Bopis. It was houseonahill(dot)net in 2004, where I got the baked macaroni recipe, which is now a hit to most of our friends here and back home. Last November, some friends are asking me to bake for them for their Christmas party, but I was scheduled to fly home first day of December. Oh, I missed that oppurtunity to earn some extra money.
I haven't thanked enough Ms. Connie Veneracion of Pinoycook for the praises I get whenever I serve her bakedmac, and for continuously inspiring us, her readers, to cook at home.
So, this post is to show the many times I was able to put Pinoycook inspired dishes on our table.

This is the first time i made bakedmac , funny because it's on a round tray cannot find rectangular baking pan then, served with Pinoycook's Roasted Chicken. - July 2006


Snowe's 1st Bday - Baked Mac, Pork Menudo, Beef Cutlets with Buttered Vegetables, Roasted Chicken and Chicken Pineapple - November 2006


2 trays of BakedMac i brought for potluck in Pinoy Christmas Party in Shanghai, December 2006

Snowe's 3rd Birthday - Baked Mac November 2008

Bakedmac for the New year's eve of 2009 in the Philippines

Chinese New Year 2009, Shanghai

New Year na, Nightout pa sa 10th!

New Year's day night-out with my siblings Part2, this time with Antu, Pam and Eio.
A pose with the Roots of Nature at the 10th. (Hope we had a clearer shot.)
The Roots of Nature recently launched their first album with "Lipad" as the carrier single which is also the theme song of the movie "Dayo".

My Bestfriends' Wedding

John and Lei,
I thank God for giving me such wonderful friends like you whose friendship i'll always treasure.

FlipTrip 03: Oyster

"Ang pag-ibig ko sa iyo'y parang Talaba,
Patay na, Kumakapit pa."
(My love for you is like an oyster, it sticks even if its already dead.)

Isa ito sa mga Pamosong linya ng kwelang Rakista na si Kus Amante, Jr. Alay sa kanyang iniirog na si Riza. Pa pa ra pa pa.....


Photo taken by Kus.

We love to celebrate!

We're a family who loves celebrations - birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, Christmas, New Year, etc.. we do celebrate and "Who would cook?" was never a problem. Both my Mom and Dad's side of the family has it's own specialty, like my Dad's Mother, Lola Isyang (RIP), whose line is into Kakanin, she's made the best Kutsinta with Monggo and Puto (steamed rice cake). Aunt Glo, Dad's sister, however managed to learn the way Lola cooks it, but because she's busy with her own "halamanan" she can only share with me her bestest "Atchara" or pickled papaya. Ta'nio (short for Tito Onio) is loved by his famous Kare-kare.
While Tita Rosie, Mom's eldest sister, never ran out of "Suman" the one you dip into a little sugar, she sells it almost everyday in Calumpit and Pulilan where they live. I also love the way Tita Letty cooks "Kilawing Labanos" and "Dinuguan". TF or Tita Fanny is the best nowadays, she knows a lot of pinoy food, name it she can do it. She was our cook when we had our "Greenyard Coffeshop and Kambeerngan sa Halang" and when we were catering for Tierra International or TICC. She's there for most of the occasions in our life, anytime we need her, she's just a text away.
Below is a photo of TF's dishes - Tiffany (inside white cups), Lumpiang Shanghai, Pancit Malabon, Spaghetti and Biko. I did the Macaroni Salad in the bowl.

Until now TF never fails to please us whenever we have occasions at home.

Vacation 08: The day we went fishing

Skye is very excited to go fishing. Since the day we arrived home from Shanghai first Monday of December, she's been asking my siblings - Tito Kuz and Ninang Chette, to make her a fishing rod, but he is busy with the upcoming battle and gig, and she has to go to work for a week. She's been asking me everyday, "Mom when can we go fishing? I'm very excited!" I just said we should wait until Saturday because that's when everybody's available.
She woke up so early that morning, which is very strange, and went to her Ninang Chette's bedroom and ask her to make the fishing rod. Everything's all set by 9am. Chette made 2 fishing rods and we borrowed 2 extra fishing rods from our cousins. All of us were excited because it's Skye's first fishing experience, and I am excited, too, because it's been a long time since i did this.

So, we're on our way now to the fishpond


setting up...

placing worm on Skye's fishing hook

waiting for her first catch.......

after changing spots

she caught her first big Tilapia fish, Yay! When she felt her rod moved she asked for my help and I told her to pull it up and she did and we were all shouting for joy. She stopped to pose with a smile after covering her face and all from the splashes of water because of the wiggling of the fish, I think she's got mixed emotions. After that first one, she's on her own. She was the first one to catch the biggest fish among us, I caught a what she calls a kid fish and her tita Cath had a tiny fish, my cousins caught some, too, and Chette got all sizes. Skye caught 7 fishes in all, and she was very happy.


Snowe, my younger daughter, was also there trying to catch some fish but she wasn't able to get one, but she enjoyed being there shouting with us evrytime we caught one.

we had our lunch there and caught some more and headed back home.

and the fishes that we caught went into the grill that night, dipped with calamansi juice and soy sauce, Yummy!

FlipTrip 02

Kung ayaw mo, huwag mo!
Iyan ang kabaliktaran ng kasabihang "If there's a will there's a way!"
Huwag mong pilitin ang ayaw, kasi kung gusto maraming paraan, walang dahi-dahilan. Kung ayaw, ayaw! sanlibong dahilan na walang kabuluhan.

FlipTrip 02

15 days to freedom! wooohooo!

FlipTrip 00

The Rain

I don't know why I feel blue when it rains.
I don't really hate the rain, in fact, back home i feel glad when it rains because my Mom's plants in her halamanan will be happy. And of course, she can save a lot of time watering them. Also, it's time for Champorado and Tuyo (fried dried fish) Or Chicken Sopas Or Arrozcaldo. Oh, how I love to eat when it rains.
But, still it makes me sad and I don't know why....

Losing My Sanity

I don't know how I’m feeling today...
Something’s strange again...
And this feeling’s still bugging me...
There are times I’d like to quit but I’m fighting still.
I don't know how long I can stand this storm.

There are times that I wanted to give up
I hope you'll be there for me, to keep me strong.
I don't know if you, too, can stand the way I am.

I’m still having a hard time

Coping with this situation
But I’m not yet giving up
I’ll stand until I can.

And if the time comes that I'm losing my sanity
Please tell my love ones... I’m so sorry...
And I hope they'll forgive me,
For all the things that I have done.

author: flip